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Gas detection with vertical InAs nanowire arrays
Peter Offermans1, Mercedes Crego-Calama, Sywert H Brongersma
1Holst Centre/IMEC-NL, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Peter.Offermans@imec-nl.nl
Nano Letters
|May 28, 2010
Summary
Gold-free indium arsenide (InAs) nanowire sensors detect nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at room temperature. These highly sensitive nanoscale devices offer a promising platform for next-generation gas detection systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Sensing
Background:
- Nanowire-based devices are promising for next-generation (bio)chemical sensors.
- High-quality publications highlight the potential of nanowire sensors.
- Existing sensors may face limitations in surface accessibility or material requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel nanoscale gas sensing device.
- To utilize gold-free grown vertical indium arsenide (InAs) nanowire arrays.
- To enable direct surface adsorption for enhanced gas detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of vertical InAs nanowire arrays without gold.
- Ohmic contacting using an air bridge construction at as-grown locations.
- Noise measurements to determine gas detection resolution.
Main Results:
- The developed nanowire devices exhibit sensitivity to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) below 100 parts per billion (ppb) at room temperature.
- NO2 exposure causes a measurable decrease in carrier density.
- Electron mobility is also reduced upon NO2 exposure.
Conclusions:
- Gold-free InAs nanowire arrays offer a viable and sensitive platform for room-temperature gas sensing.
- The air bridge contact method preserves nanowire surface integrity for efficient gas adsorption.
- These findings advance the development of highly sensitive and selective nanoscale chemical sensors.
